From Hollywood, with pride

WhatsOnJun 07, 2012Hamilton Spectator

The Twitterverse was on fire Wednesday with news that Canada’s Hollywood heartthrob Ryan Gosling was in St. Catharines.

The 31-year-old Oscar-nominated actor, who once attended Lester B. Pearson High School in Burlington, was in town to support his mother, Donna, as she received her teacher’s degree from Brock University.

According to university officials, Gosling’s attendance at the event was a surprise.

“We found out about half an hour beforehand,” said Kevin Cavanagh, associate director of communications and public affairs at Brock University. “Although I’m sure our security were tipped off that something was going on when the paparazzi showed up. It’s not every day you see them on Brock’s campus.”

Gosling, who is known for his roles in such films as Drive, Half Nelson and The Notebook, brought along his actress-girlfriend Eva Mendes, much to the dismay of the would-be, future Mrs. Goslings tweeting online.

But even with an A-list couple in the audience, Cavanagh said there wasn’t a lot of “rubbernecking” and “gawking” going on — the focus wasrespectfullyon the graduates.

“He didn’t want his celebrity status to distract from his mom’s big day and all of the other grads’ big day,” said Cavanagh. “He was very gracious and extremely aware of his own ability to create a distraction.”

Rachael Burman, who graduated alongside Gosling’s mom, said the actor’s arrival after the graduate procession caused a bit of a buzz around the room, but that the excitement quickly died down.

“Everyone knew he was there, but it wasn’t made a huge deal of,” she said. “I think it was sweet that he was there for his mom.”

The flurry of Twitter activity kicked up by Gosling’s appearance at the ceremony had Brock University trending in Canada on the social media site.

“Trending on Twitter was a nice bonus, but what was really great — just reading the different posts online — was that it made Brock students and past grads proud of their school,” said Cavanagh.

Gosling created similar waves last year when he was in Hamilton to cheer on his mom as she received her English degree from McMaster.

From Hollywood, with pride

Ryan Gosling attends mother’s graduation with Eva Mendes

WhatsOnJun 07, 2012Hamilton Spectator

The Twitterverse was on fire Wednesday with news that Canada’s Hollywood heartthrob Ryan Gosling was in St. Catharines.

The 31-year-old Oscar-nominated actor, who once attended Lester B. Pearson High School in Burlington, was in town to support his mother, Donna, as she received her teacher’s degree from Brock University.

According to university officials, Gosling’s attendance at the event was a surprise.

“We found out about half an hour beforehand,” said Kevin Cavanagh, associate director of communications and public affairs at Brock University. “Although I’m sure our security were tipped off that something was going on when the paparazzi showed up. It’s not every day you see them on Brock’s campus.”

Gosling, who is known for his roles in such films as Drive, Half Nelson and The Notebook, brought along his actress-girlfriend Eva Mendes, much to the dismay of the would-be, future Mrs. Goslings tweeting online.

But even with an A-list couple in the audience, Cavanagh said there wasn’t a lot of “rubbernecking” and “gawking” going on — the focus wasrespectfullyon the graduates.

“He didn’t want his celebrity status to distract from his mom’s big day and all of the other grads’ big day,” said Cavanagh. “He was very gracious and extremely aware of his own ability to create a distraction.”

Rachael Burman, who graduated alongside Gosling’s mom, said the actor’s arrival after the graduate procession caused a bit of a buzz around the room, but that the excitement quickly died down.

“Everyone knew he was there, but it wasn’t made a huge deal of,” she said. “I think it was sweet that he was there for his mom.”

The flurry of Twitter activity kicked up by Gosling’s appearance at the ceremony had Brock University trending in Canada on the social media site.

“Trending on Twitter was a nice bonus, but what was really great — just reading the different posts online — was that it made Brock students and past grads proud of their school,” said Cavanagh.

Gosling created similar waves last year when he was in Hamilton to cheer on his mom as she received her English degree from McMaster.

Top Stories

From Hollywood, with pride

Ryan Gosling attends mother’s graduation with Eva Mendes

WhatsOnJun 07, 2012Hamilton Spectator

The Twitterverse was on fire Wednesday with news that Canada’s Hollywood heartthrob Ryan Gosling was in St. Catharines.

The 31-year-old Oscar-nominated actor, who once attended Lester B. Pearson High School in Burlington, was in town to support his mother, Donna, as she received her teacher’s degree from Brock University.

According to university officials, Gosling’s attendance at the event was a surprise.

“We found out about half an hour beforehand,” said Kevin Cavanagh, associate director of communications and public affairs at Brock University. “Although I’m sure our security were tipped off that something was going on when the paparazzi showed up. It’s not every day you see them on Brock’s campus.”

Gosling, who is known for his roles in such films as Drive, Half Nelson and The Notebook, brought along his actress-girlfriend Eva Mendes, much to the dismay of the would-be, future Mrs. Goslings tweeting online.

But even with an A-list couple in the audience, Cavanagh said there wasn’t a lot of “rubbernecking” and “gawking” going on — the focus wasrespectfullyon the graduates.

“He didn’t want his celebrity status to distract from his mom’s big day and all of the other grads’ big day,” said Cavanagh. “He was very gracious and extremely aware of his own ability to create a distraction.”

Rachael Burman, who graduated alongside Gosling’s mom, said the actor’s arrival after the graduate procession caused a bit of a buzz around the room, but that the excitement quickly died down.

“Everyone knew he was there, but it wasn’t made a huge deal of,” she said. “I think it was sweet that he was there for his mom.”

The flurry of Twitter activity kicked up by Gosling’s appearance at the ceremony had Brock University trending in Canada on the social media site.

“Trending on Twitter was a nice bonus, but what was really great — just reading the different posts online — was that it made Brock students and past grads proud of their school,” said Cavanagh.

Gosling created similar waves last year when he was in Hamilton to cheer on his mom as she received her English degree from McMaster.